114 TRANSACTIONS OF THE [mAR. 14, 



]'rof. W. p. Trowbridge read a paper upon 



XAAVS OF FATIGUE AND REST IN ANIMAL MECHANICS, AS AP- 

 PLIED TO BOAT-RACING. 



The question has been frequently discussed among those who 

 take a general interest in college sports, whether the excessive 

 training for long-distance boat-races, and the violent and long- 

 continued muscular and nervous exertions incident to these con- 

 tests, do not in reality result in unnecessary and hurtful exhaus- 

 tion during a race, and frequently in permanent injury to the 

 contestants. It is quite certain that boat-races with four-mile 

 courses are extreme tests of physical endurance, as well as of 

 strength and skill ; and it is well to ask whether a certain kind 

 of collegiate supremacy, an exciting holiday for assembled crowds 

 of students and their friends, the momentary exultation over a 

 college victory, are not too dearly bouglit when the price paid is 

 the health and perhaps the lifers usefulness of a student. 



As long, however, as one college challenges another, whether 

 it be to a boat-race, a ball-match, or a foot-race, we may expect 

 that the challenge will be accepted ; the faculties being gener- 

 ally not only willing but ready backers, certainly the most en- 

 thusiastic applauders — after a victory. But since all sports or 

 friendly contests must take place under established rules, it is a 

 very proper subject for discussion whether the distance to be 

 rowed in our inter-collegiate boat races may not be changed to 

 three miles, without the slightest risk of rendering these con- 

 tests less exciting or diminishing the value of the victory, while 

 at the same time the long and extremely rigorous training which 

 is now necessary might then be diminished somewhat, and the 

 exhausting effect on the rowers during the week of the races be 

 avoided. It is a matter of experience, I believe, that a race is 

 practically decided at the end of the third mile, the occasions on 

 which the crew that leads at the end of the third mile is finally 

 beaten being very rare. This means that in everything that 

 brings victory, strength, skill, coolness, and endurance, a three- 

 mile course is all that is necessary. The fourth mile adds al- 

 most complete exhaustion, without changing the result, but it 

 is the fourth mile that demands so much more rigorous training 

 and previous work. 



